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Mourinho could offload as many as 10 first-team players in order to create a closer-knit squad (Picture: Getty)

Jose Mourinho is set to wield the axe at Manchester United, with the new boss keen to trim the bloated squad he inherited from Louis van Gaal and have just 24 squad members.

Hampered by several injury crises, Van Gaal used 33 players in the last Premier League campaign, more than any other team, but that is something Mourinho is determined to change.

According to reports, the Portuguese has told the players who have already reported back to pre-season training – with many still on holiday after Euro 2016 and Copa America exertions – that he intends to create a much smaller, close-knit group.

Mourinho used just 22 players when he won the title with Chelsea and intends to have a similar sized squad at Old Trafford. Check out what his soon-to-be-trimmed squad is likely to look like – and who will be axed…

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Goalkeepers:

De Gea, no longer sought by Real Madrid, had another fine season at Old Trafford (Picture: Getty)

David de Gea, Sergio Romero, Sam Johnstone

Defenders:

Shaw has returned to first-team training after a lengthy injury absence (Picture: Getty)

Mourinho is expected to give the players he is ready to offload one last chance to impress during pre-season – Wilson, for example, is likely to feature against Wigan – but few are suited to his style.

The self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ sold Juan Mata when he was in charge of Chelsea, favouring more mobile, defence-conscious attackers, while he is unlikely to continue using Daley Blind at centre-back.

Blackett and Varela have already been sent to train with the reserves, while the potential arrival of Pogba would likely end the United careers of Schweinsteiger and Fellaini, with Mourinho not thought to be a fan of either player.